HUNTSVILLE – Head coach Jason Hooten and the Sam Houston State men’s basketball team made another addition to their squad earlier this week, signing Cape Fear Community College’s Zaqwaun Matthews for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

Hooten’s Bearkats have won at least 20 games in four of the last five seasons and are coming off a 21-15 campaign in 2017-18, advancing to both the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament and the postseason CIT.

Zaqwaun Matthews • G • 6-4 • 185 • Charlotte, N.C. • Myers Park HS / Cape Fear CC / Chattanooga Matthews originally spent his true freshman season at Chattanooga before transferring to Cape Fear where he was named a first team all-conference player and the team MVP in 2017-18. At 6-4, 185 pounds, he averaged 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 42.8 percent from the field for the Sea Devils a year ago.

“We were looking for a big guard that could make shots at a high level, and really feel like Zaqwaun can fit that need,” Hooten said. “He has a year of D1 experience and played on a Cape Fear team this season that made it to the NJCAA National Tourney. He also isn’t afraid to get down in a stance and guard or do the little things that help a team win.”

He also made 94 3-point shots, hitting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc, leading his team in both points and rebounds in helping Cape Fear to a 21-12 record.

Matthews’ collegiate career comes on the heels of a stellar high school career that saw him score over 1,000 points while playing for head coach Wes Helper at Myers Park (NC) High School. As a senior, Matthews averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

As a junior he averaged 15.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while being selected to the Southwestern 4A all-conference team by the Charlotte Observer.

He was also a 10x MaxPreps.com Player of the Game recipient during his senior season and played AAU basketball on Team CP3 All-Stars.